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Firefighters have a higher risk of heart attacks as discovered in a research funded by the British Heart Foundation. Exposures to high temperature could actually make blood sticky and potentially cause minor injury to the heart muscles.

The people whose work is to save lives and properties are endangering their health in doing so. It is part of a fireman's work to face blazing infernos regularly, but the study published in the journal Circulation details its health risks and ways to reduce probable harm.

Heat Turns Blood Sticky

For the study, 19 firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue who are healthy and non-smoking were randomly chosen to participate. They went through a mock rescue operation while wearing heart monitors in a two-storey building that exposed them to high temperatures, according to the BBC News.

Researchers found how firefighters could have a higher risk of heart attacks since their body's core temperature remains high even after three to four hours of heat exposure. Additionally, their blood becomes stickier, making it 66 percent more likely to form blood clots.

The BHF senior clinical research and the study's lead author, Prof. Nick Mills, says they have found the direct link to previous studies that state firefighters usually die from heart diseases while on duty and the correlation of heat on firemen's physical levels. This explains why many firefighters die from a heart attack while working.

Urgent Need to Deal with Issue

The Fire Brigades Union state they have been aware of the increased rate of heart attacks while on duty or in training. However, the research has revealed "very disturbing" insights that urgently sought ways to diminish harm for the firemen's health.

They have found that staying hydrated and taking note of the body's core temperature are key things to be monitored. Also, familiarity with the early warning signs of heart diseases is stressed because of the report on how firefighters have a higher risk of heart attacks.